Merchant of Venice. - Repositories

16 THE MERCHANT OF VENICE [ACT I.
are so reasonable; for there is not one among them
but I dote on his very absence; and I pray God grant
them a fair departure.
Ner. Do you not remember, lady, in your father's
time, a Venetian, a scholar, and a soldier, that came
hither in company of the Marquis of Montf errat ?
Por. Yes, yes, it was Bassanio; as I think he was
so called.
Ner. True, madam: he, of all the men that ever
my foolish eyes looked upon, was the best deserving a
fair lady.
Por. I remember him well; and I remember him
worthy of thy praise.
Enter a Serving-man.
How now! what news ?
Serv. The four° strangers seek for you, madam, to
take their leave: and there is a forerunner come from ir
a fifth, the Prince of Morocco; who brings word, the
prince his master will be here to-night.
Por. If I could bid the fifth welcome with so good
a heart as I can bid the other four farewell, I should
be glad of his approach: if he have the condition® of
a saint and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he
should shrive me than wive me.
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